A bad neighbour with a quick temper
Being in the police force was his claim to fame and he used this to often argue and sometimes even threaten neighbours in his locality in Welcome in east Delhi. Rajat Arora reports.
Being in the police force was his claim to fame and he used this to often argue and sometimes even threaten neighbours in his locality in Welcome in east Delhi.
Neighbours said Ram Nath Upadhyay, an assistant sub inspector with Delhi police, had a bad temper and it was this rage that led to him shooting his neighbour and a head constable with police Satender Khokar on Wednesday morning.
Posted with the 3rd battalion of Delhi police, Khokar was going to New Police Lines at Kingsway camp at 8:15am on Wednesday to submit his service revolver when he saw garbage littered outside his house.
“Upadhyay’s family always throws garbage outside other people’s houses in the lane. Earlier, too, someone from their family had littered outside Khokar’s house,” said a neighbour, requesting anonymity.
Eyewitnesses said Khokar requested Upadhyay not to do it again but the latter started shouting at him instead and then manhandled him. “We tried to sort the matter but Upadhyay wouldn’t listen to anyone. He snatched Khokar’s service revolver and shot at him three times,” the neighbour added.
The victim’s wife Meenu heard the gunshots and came running out of her house.
“He was bleeding profusely as two bullets had pierced through his chest. We rushed him to GTB Hospital,” said Khokar’s friend, who does not wish to be named.
Upadhyay fled the scene after the incident but was arrested by the police later. “He has been suspended,” a senior police officer said. Khokhar’s condition is stable.
“I got a call at 9am informing me that my brother has been shot at by one of his neighbours. I don’t know why people lose their temper over such small issues. This city is full of intolerance,” said Khokar’s brother Jitender.
“Upadhyay was to retire next year and was posted at Adarsh Nagar police station. He has now ruined his service of more than 35 years,” a police officer said.
But Upadhyay’s wife Phoolvati maintained that it was Khokar who started the fight and flashed his pistol.